College Preview

Big Sky Conference

Road Trip of the Week:
Montana at Montana State

Often, I tell you about a detour from the normal route.  But this week, there is no reason to do that.  The trip from Missoula to Bozeman on I-90 is plenty scenic.  Butte, has a reputation for being an ugly city.  Sure, the copper mine and that part of town is not a nice part of the city.  West of Butte is just that.  But the road twists and turns, be very careful and if you must take pictures, pull over to the side of the road.

The Game...Montana State is the team in the Big Sky in most control over their future.  A win will give them a tie for second place in the conference and with a win over the previously unbeaten Grizzlies on their resume.  According to Captian Obvious, Cody Kempt will need to take good care of the ball and avoid the turnover bug.  There is something on the line for the Grizzlies, they could get home field in the semi's of the playoffs.  Chase Reynolds should have another big game and that will make the job of everyone else a little easier.
Montana 35 Montana State 15

UC Davis at Sacramento State
The Great West Conference champion does not get an automatic bid to the playoffs.  If UC Davis, who has won the Great West, should falter against the cross-valley Hornets, they would likely stay home next week.  There is a little bit more at stake than just the usual Sacramento Valley bragging rights.  On paper, the Aggies are clearly the better team, but have been playing inconsistently.  They were within 3 scores of Boise State, but then gave up 56 to Southern Utah.  It has been that kind of season for Sac State as well except with more downs than ups.
UC Davis 27 Sac State 24

Eastern Washington at Northern Arizona
The Eagles fly down to Flagstaff to take on the Lumberjacks.  After last week's game, the Jacks are grateful to be playing indoors.  And it should show as this should be a showdown between the two best quarterbacks, statistically, this year in the Big Sky.  Can Michael Herrick out duel Matt Nichols?  Well, Nichols has Taiwan Jones, and that should give the Eagles an edge.  Look for another Skydome Shootout.
Eastern Washington 45 Northern Arizona 42

WAC

Boise State at Utah State (Friday)
This game kicks off in Logan about 24 hours before the next cold front does.  The Broncos will have much better weather at Romney Stadium than San Jose State did last week.  The Broncos should be plenty motivated.  There is little chance they can catch up to TCU in the polls now, so it is Oklahoma State and Pittsburgh that they need to stay ahead of now.  They need a big, impressive win, but I suspect that the Aggies will not be in a mood to cooperate.  USU is much better than their records and I suspect that they will play BSU much like they played their in-state rivals.
BSU 35 USU 17

Louisiana Tech at Fresno State
Here is a game between Bulldogs that does not figure to be much of a dog fight.  LaTech has played two consecutive games against top-ten talent and has played them both very well.  Fresno returns from a trip to Reno where the defense appeared to be at the Sands.  The California Bulldogs should take comfort in that everyone that has visited MacKay Stadium has looked weak on defense.  Pat Hill should get his crew up for the fight and Ryan Matthews should be back to his old self.
Fresno State 38 Louisiana Tech 17

Hawaii at San Jose State
Dick Tomey annouced his retirement earlier this week and now faces the team he used to coach.  But he coached Hawaii before anyone on either team was born, therefore don't expect Greg McMackin's team to be feeling sentimental.  The is Hawaii's last trip to the mainland this season and thier final conference game of the year.  The Spartans are ice cold and I suspect that they may warm up a little for thier outgoing coach.  This may be a close game, but Hawaii will keep their bowl hopes alive.
Hawaii 33 San Jose State 19

Nevada at New Mexico State
The Wolpack express rolls into Las Cruces.  They have been less than spectacular away from MacKay Stadium.  Duane Walker's crew have been less than impressive since getting a gift win against Utah State earlier this year.  These are two teams going in opposite directions and thier respective rolls should continue.
Nevada 28 New Mexico State 10

MWC

TCU at Wyoming
With the way that TCU has been talked up this week, it may be a dissapointment for the Frogs if the score is any closer than 50 points.  And why not, the Cowboys won last week and have Colorado State next week, it is a throw away game for them as well.  It may not be even that close, or it may be a barn burner.  I suspect that Gary Patterson may be better at motivating his troops than Dave Christensen.
TCU 45 Wyoming 10

Air Force at BYU
Captian Obvious told me that BYU can't play Air Force the way that they played New Mexico last week.  So I suspect that BYU will rise to the occasion.  Air Force has a defense that will cause problems for BYU, but I suspect that the Cougar defense will handle Tim Jefferson et al.  This will be a low scoring game, but BYU should finish on top
BYU 20 Air Force 9

San Diego State at Utah
The Aztecs have a lot more riding on the line than the Utes this week.  Ryan Lindley and his team will have to be able to out-smart the clever Utah secondary.  Perhpas a study of the TCU film will help show the Aztecs how to burn the Utes.  If the Aztecs have learned about the Ute defense by studying film, the Aztecs have the tools to make this, at least, a very exciting game.  If the Aztecs can win, they have UNLV at home next week and a good shot at a bowl game.
Utah 45 San Diego State 42

Colorado State at New Mexico
Back in September, I never figured that the Rams would take the bus ride to Albuquerque shooting for their first win in confernce play.  The Rams were playing well when they rolled into Provo.  Something happened in the 4th quarter of the Utah game and they have never recovered.  While the Lobos have showed some life the past couple of weeks.  I suspect that the Lobos will get their first win of the season.
New Mexico 27 Colorado State 19